Ways to Make Electricity

Electrical energy is generally produced simply through the rotation of a generator. The energy needed to cause the generator to revolve can originate from several different sources. A system designed to transform a primary source of energy into electricity is referred to as an energy generation method. Methods are generally mechanical or thermal.

Mechanical methods use the power of water or wind to make the generator revolve. The production of hydroelectricity is relative simple. The power of moving water causes the turbine to spin and revolve a generator. The principle underlying wind energy is essentially the same. The force of the wind causes the blades of a huge rotor to spin and revolve the electric generator.

Thermal methods, on the other hand use oil, gas, coal or some other source of combustion, or even nuclear fission, to produce heat that boils water, generates steam under pressure and causes the generator to revolve. There are also power stations where hydrocarbons are burned in turbines similar to airplane jet engines that in turn cause generators to revolve.